Although it may be the last thing that a London Marathon runner thinks about whilst running the long and painful 26 miles, the attractions that can be seen along the way for both the runners and the spectators are world famous and a sightseeing opportunity not to be missed. Many guests staying in serviced apartments London were able to avoid the crush of the crowds by viewing the runners in action from their apartment windows or their balconies overlooking the London sights.

This year the course began in Greenwich Park, went around Woolwich Common and then passed through Woolwich Royal Artillery Barracks (one of the three 2012 Olympic Games venues in Greenwich). Virgin London Marathon contenders than passed Christopher Wren’s famous Royal Naval Hospital and the Prime Meridian in front of the National Maritime Museum. From there the route paralleled London’s oldest and most spectacular landmark- the River Thames- followed the curves around Rotherhithe, past Canada Water and Surrey Quays, then headed through Bermondsey and crossed the river at Tower Bridge.

After the famous Tower Bridge, which is one of the most popular places to watch the marathon and also the location of many serviced apartments London, the race headed towards the Docklands, in particular the Isle of Dogs peninsula and Canary Wharf, London’s second most important financial district. Containing 13.1 million square feet of office space, Canary Wharf is one of the most sought after areas for serviced apartments London.

Runners then passed through St Katherine’s Dock and headed towards the City where the excitement rose for the last few miles, followed by St James’s Park and the Houses of Parliament. The race ended in The Mall, the ceremonial avenue in front of Buckingham Palace, a must-see attraction for all tourists staying in serviced apartments London.

Every year, records are broken, entertaining costumes are worn and celebrities take part. Marathon world records include the fastest marathon in a fireman’s uniform at 4:45:16, the fastest marathon in a vegetable costume at 3:09:21 and the fastest marathon in a Fred Flintstone costume at 3:07:34. Celebrities who ran the Virgin London Marathon this year included Premiership footballer Dwight Yorke, comedian Joe Pasquale and former Bucks Fizz signer and Record Breakers presenter Cheryl Baker.

With endless bars, restaurants, shops and businesses in the capital, it is no wonder that serviced apartments London are so popular. Although most guests in serviced apartments London will be business travellers, because the apartments allow residents to feel really at home in a city, they can truly enjoy events such as the Virgin London Marathon. Alternatively, they can relax and watch the event from the comfort of the sofa and television provided in the apartment.